Did He Just Play A Trance Song On A Guitar?!

Did he?! =O

Love the outfit...Mortal Combat much?! Pure awesomeness.

This was actually shared by Phat'hi via twitter, and I just had to post it here.

Lazy Updater

I've been wanting to update this place since forever (I've got a couple of things in mind). I even clicked on the "new post" button a couple of times and I type one line but end up ditching it. Anywho, I've finally pushed myself to update! Talk about being a big lazy lol

:: I can say that I'm officially done with University....FOREVER (inshAllah!) but I do have my final year project report to complete which is not a biggie' because it's almost done. In the end, I can't believe I'm fully finished with uni. Four years just gone like that *snaps fingers* It went really fast and I have to say it's going to be weird not going to uni everyday, sitting in the lab where I find my mates and kind of get stuck there for the rest of the day working on assignments. Epic days! The labs were my second home. I'm going to miss these days and the people that were a part of them...and I'm also going to miss Bongo (best Sushi shop in the whole of Hamilton FYI) *tearing*

Last Sushi lunch for Sarz (she's leaving for Oman tomorrow): taken today.

:: I'm back to being a movie-holic/freak which I'm happy about, because this semester was very tough so I had lost this freakishness about movies. On Saturday is when I finally got the chance to rent some movies;

• Fight Club (Action)
• Super Bad (Comedy)
  
• The Exorcism of Emily Rose (Horror)
  
• Definitely Maybe (Drama/Romance)
  
• The Lookout (Thriller)
  
• City Hall (Thriller)
  
• Australia (Drama/Romance/War)

I'd be happy to take any suggestions, since I'm running out of movies to watch.
I have a feeling "City Hall" might get a nice review from me...so will see how that goes.

:: I should be getting back to my Web Design/Development job soon (after I hand in the final copy of my report) which I can't wait for because I really miss it. *Nerd alert* Honestly though, I really did miss it. One more website left to create for my client and I'll be done. Hopefully I'll be finished before we head back to Oman.

:: So we booked tickets for Oman on the 16th of December. I honestly can't wait to get back! Our stuff is getting sold and our house is getting emptier slowly *Yay*

:: Sarz suggested that I take on the 365 Project, where you take a picture of something that explains your day in one line "story". It sounds interesting and fun, plus I've gotten into photography lately so it's bound to give me good practice. I haven't decided when I'll start. I guess I'm just waiting for the "right picture" lol

:: Lastly, I've discovered that most of the videos I favorite on Youchube (intended) are acoustic (I love this word) covers of some of my favorite songs. Just the other day, I found a fantastic cover of Outlandish's beautiful song "Aicha" done by some Indonesian guys. One is playing the guitar and another is playing the beautiful Oud. So one can just imagine how amazing (IMO) it would sound. I LOVED IT! It's completely instrumental. What's awesomer is you can totally make out the tune. Perfect-o!

Listen to that Oud ♥

Watching this video made me want to learn the song (I think I tried before but it was hard) on my guitar and learn to play the Oud also! *crosses hands*

Band: If These Trees Could Talk

I seriously don't get why this band is not THAT famous (?). Why is it always that the suck-y musicians get famous while the hardcore, great ones are not even well known? Huh?!

If These Trees Could Talk self titled album is absolutely great!! Actually it's all that I've been listening to for the past week, and still listening. This is the kind of music I truly enjoy. It's pure music. No vocals, no lyrics. Everything is expressed through the music. Trust me, you will feel it! I've always been the "music listener" more than the "lyrics listener", so that explains my attraction to the band. Plus I'm a guitar freak and this band is all about guitar music.

Genre: a heavy shade of instrumental Post-rock.

So their music is instrumental. Mainly electric guitars, bass guitar and a set of drums. What more can I ask for, eh?! The band consists of 3 electric guitarists, 1 Bassist and 1 drummer. Everything is made using only those 3 instruments. The effects done using the guitars are flippin' awesome. At first I thought there was some piano/techno device but it turned out to be just the electric guitars but with effects!

I first discovered them when I watched the new COOL (=O) PS3 game inFAMOUS (<< cool official website), where their song "Malabar Front" got featured in the trailer of the game. If you haven't seen the trailer yet...-_______-

Watch it here - inFAMOUS Trailer <<<<

So yeah! I liked the song so much while watching the trailer...that I decided to hunt for the song/band name. Yay for me, I found them and managed to get my hands on one of their albums.

They just rock! Seriously.

If These Trees Could Talk - Malabar Front

Yes! It's an 8:05 minutes long instrumental. True that their self titled album has 5 songs only, but they're no shorter than 4:06. Absolutely great! <3

Amazing stuff!

Seether ft. Amy Lee - Broken (Guitar Solo)

Tabla + Metal = FUN

Uum...ignore the stuff at the end =P lol

Hmmm...

- Uni starts on Monday. A big -____________- to that! Bleh...a 9am class first day back...which I'm going to force myself to go to.
Goodbye staying and waking up late. Goodbye movies...I love you! xD Goodbye anime and Waqas (acoustic guitar). The reason why I'm saying all this is because I know this part of the semester is going to be crazy. Projects + assignments + final tests will all be magically squashed into our timetable >.< *pulls hair out*

- 2 more episodes left of Dexter Season 1 and I don't know why I haven't seen them yet, since they're the finales! The last 2 episodes that I watched have shown me the other side of Dexter. The weak/fragile side. Which is awesome...just shows that even a heartless (at a certain level) person still has such a side. But for some reason I didn't like it. I liked the strong/cold and somewhat evil side of him =P This time Dexter reminded me of Light-kun, last episode, of Death Note! I want to make time just to watch this series (season 2 and 3), even though I shouldn't for I heard (from Sara) that it only get's better and more addictive. Dangerous O.o

- Somehow, and shockingly, I'm starting to enjoy listening to RnB and Hip Hop. Not all songs but just the ones that stand out to me. But still, RnB/Hip Hop for a Rocker...really-eh?! I think if electric guitars were added to those genres I'd probably be into them...but then they wouldn't be what they are, right?! xD *I feel I'm talking gibberish*

- Mocha heavenly sachets (that's what I call them now xD) are back in my life. I had finished the packet and kind of suffered for 4-5 days without drinking a cup a day. My addiction for them has increased to the point that today I wanted to have another cup. But I don't think that'd be a good idea =P

- I kinda ditched "Nothing Else Matters" even though I'm progressing in it, but "Path" and "The Unforgiven",by Apocalyptica, both kinda pulled me to learn them. I'm really really enjoying playing "Path" seriously that piece of music totally rocks! But again, today I decided to look up Stuart Chatwood (music composer of Prince of Persia games) to see if someone was kind enough to upload the tabs for "Attack at Sea" but No! -____- Instead I found "Escape the Dahaka". Damn that's one great piece as well! So I'm learning it as well just before uni starts! <3

Now if only I had an electric guitar! *dreams*

That's it from me ^__^

Crippled

So...I'm temporarily (hopefully =S) crippled. I have no idea how this happened...but I wish it had happened because I did something cool or dangerous.

My right ankle is badly twisted (don't know how?!?!) that it hurts when I walk, and it hurts while I'm sitting even.

So yesterday morning, I woke up with this massive pain in my right ankle to the point that I couldn't walk properly. During the day the pain eased thankfully. Though when night came this little bruise + bump + pain seemed to develop in/on my right foot! Yes now it's become the whole foot. I managed to sleep normally that night but when I woke up today morning, it had become WORSE. It is very swollen and painful. I couldn't walk much and I had to cancel going to the little picnic that a group of my friends arranged for tomorrow =( My right foot is all bandaged and 7ala...bleeeeh!

This is so weird because I have no idea where this....thing came from or HOW it happened =S *confused* But I know one thing for sure...it sucks big time =S

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I'm really loving playing "Three Days Grace - Never too late" on my guitar. It requires a bit of finger work...so I'm finding it a fun challenge =D

<3

360° Toothbrush and Anger Management

So I'm using this type of toothbrush....it's a good toothbrush because while you brush your teeth (from the sides) you're scrubbing away the 'bacteria' on the insides of your cheeks. I have never thought of using the...let's call it "scrubber" on the back of the toothbrush, on my tongue. But decided to try it out today.

OH THE HUMANITY!!!! I don't know how people can use that thing xD
I almost gagged to death...lol. I swear I felt as if the mud cake that I ate before brushing was almost coming back up (but thankfully it didn't). I don't know why this happens to me or why it's so hard for me to use. It seems so easy in the ad (?). I don't think I'll be trying it again xD

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I noticed that every time I practice on my guitar, while I'm playing a song, I am cross (angry/mad). I just noticed this recently. My eyebrows are cross (as in an angry look). I also feel that my teeth are so tightly gritted together and my lips are tightly sealed >__<.
Is this how I "concentrate" when I play the guitar?! O.o

Crazy xD It doesn't even matter what type of song I'm playing.

I never thought of myself as and angry person...or am I?? O.o

=D

Update of the Updates

Job Update: My employer hasn't been in contact with me for like a week, until recently.
I emailed her on Friday to check on any sort of updates. She was still over seas in Australia. Poor woman she, was on a Vacation. She emailed back saying that she wanted to see me this weekend - which was the only free time she had. So I sms'd asking her if Sunday at 11am be OK with her. It was OK. So yeah...I went and met up with her at her house and we got down to some business.

First thing she talked to me about was the Logo's I made her. I sent her 2 just to see if I was heading in the right direction with what she had in mind. So basically the ones I made were just...let's call them "demos". I was expecting some criticism/advice here and there. But it turns out that she really really LOVED (exaggeration from her...I was blushing =P) the second logo which looks like:

I know! It looks so simple and pretty average, but it turned out to be exactly what she wanted. She even went on some kind art-sy explanation about what each line/circle/color represented. I thought it was pretty cute and awesome =P As for me, I didn't have any thought of representation in my mind. I just....did it. All I know is that she wanted "Purity", "Natural", and "Water" for a logo.

I was pretty happy. My first logo...EVER, to go on my FIRST website...EVER!! *victory dance* I was pretty psyched about this all!!! *cries*
So the decision is made. This logo is going to be used on the new website.

I have quite a lot to do:
- Create a Pamphlet for the Institute which includes my logo.
- Update the first website that's already running on the Internet.
- Change the colors of the new website to match my logo.
- Change or make a new layout (experimenting) for the new website.

Awesomeness!

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Anger Update: My camera is DOWN *angry*...this sucks big time. I don't know what's wrong with it, but it wouldn't connect to my laptop (through it's usb cable). I keep getting "USB Device not recognized". So I tried it on the family computer. Same thing!! So obviously it's the camera. There are some awesome pics from our trip to Raglan (Yesterday) on there that I wanted to share...but it looks like that won't be happening anytime soon.

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Guitar Update: It's going really really well! For some reason my playing sounds better than before - especially the strumming. I'm trying to find time to record my latest...learn (Conflict at the Entrance - acoustic xD), since I'm actually proud of it, and share it. Though I loath the recording process...I keep making mistakes! =( xD

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Music Update: Gavin DeGraw...I know only 2 of his songs - "Chariot" and "I don't want to be" - but never knew his name xD. So yesterday as I was watching American Idol Season 8, a guy called Micheal Castro sung the song I'm going to share for his audition. I liked the song he sung so I YouTube-d it.

Gavin DeGraw - In Love with A Girl

* Official Video Clip *

N.B. No...I haven't forgotten about Staind *heart*. I'm still obsessed with the album. This is just a "mini" change =P

Decision to make

Yeah *sigh* I have a decision to make and I don't know which action to take.

This morning, after 9alat El Fajr, I couldn't get back to sleep because I started thinking on how to tackle this situation. I couldn't sleep until after 2 hours later =( I don't know why I suddenly decided to do something...it was out of the blue. But I kept on thinking about it during some parts of the day (when I wasn't occupied).
I have a while to choose, since I'm not planning to take the action anytime soon. I'll give my self *thinks* 3 weeks to decide the final decision (and no I'm not getting married xD).

Right now 60% goes to Yes, and 40% goes to No.

This is tough =(

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On a cheerful note *kinda*...I managed to find the guitar tab for "Conflict at the Entrance" by Stuart Chatwood. Yaaay! Finally, someone was nice enough to write out the tabs and I coincidentally searched for it. It's not the full thing, plus some parts are missing and some notes are wrong (look at me talking as if I'm some kinda pro xD) but good enough =D
I've blogged about the song before, but here's a reminder:

Prince of Persia *heart @ the game*

I also searched for "Lateralus" By Tool. It turns out to be easy...I just need to get the tune right for the part after the long intro.

Check out the shots in the video...beautiful!

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It's hardcore thundering right now....plus I smell rain (but it's not raining so much) and chicken -_____-
The weather is just warm today.

G-chan Animal I have become Guitar cover!!!

LOL! I can't believe I'm actually sharing this xD

OK! So don't be expecting something amazing or awesomeness =P
I'm still a beginner and I've still got a long long way to go.
I started playing the guitar at the end of September (like almost 3 months and a bit ago =P) and heck I'm enjoying it so much. Now that I'm in the summer holidays I've kinda unleashed =P So I'm practicing everyday and learning different songs.

I decided to learn this whole song...because I love it and well to tell you the truth it's quite easy and good for a beginner. I've done some changes in it. First I learnt the main guitar then I changed to bass and what you're going to hear is a mix of both xD My guitar is acoustic (I wish I had electric!!!) but I guess it sounds OK. Now be warned there's quite a bit of mistakes but ah well =P
The beginning I kinda messed it up but I got better after the first chorus onwards. So listen all the way!! I suggest headphones and increase the volume a bit...I need to get a better mic! =P

Here it is >_<

Verses - Main/Lead Guitar
Chorus - Bass

Here's the actual song to compare xD This is an Acoustic version! *heart*

No comparison of course! They RULE!! xD
Listen to that bass....daaaaaymn!!! xD

Conflict at the Entrance

Song from the Prince of Persia Warrior Within. One of the coolest games I've ever played.
It's a favorite. Actually all of the PoP's are favorites =P

So lately I've been into all sorts of soundtracks. Games, movies, etc. So I remembered 'PoP WW' had this amazing song in some parts of the game. I loved listening to it while playing the game. So yesterday I decided to look for it on youtube (you can find everything on there). And what'ya know!!! There it was. So I listened and downloaded the song. Then I found a cover of the song...played by a girl! =O I was purely AMAZED and never felt so much jealousy like this before xD
She learned this song just by listening to it while playing the game...NO EFFING TABS!! O.o
That's just amazing!! Now I wish I had gotten an Electric guitar just for THIS song!! *heart*
Would absolutely love to learn how to play this song!!! \m/

Check it out!! Long explanation at the beginning but it's really amazing!!

Here's the original if you want to compare.

Killer guitar work!!! *heart*

The last week

eeeeeeeeeh!!! *what a boring blog...who talks about weather?! XD*

So it's the last week of Uni before the exams start. Three more days to go, but I have a feeling they're going to be the looooongest 3 days (grace =P). Got loads and loads of assignments. Due at once *rips out hair*. Next week we get a week off, not a vacation, but a "study week". That's what it's called. A whole week to prepare for exams. Exams don't start until Tuesday the 28th of October (not Monday because it's labour day, and that's a public holiday). I'm taking 3 papers and for this semester all my papers have exams (last semester had only 1 exam...it was bless XD). I think I have one on the 30th or the 31st....need to check, second exam on the 5th and the last exam on the 6th. Then freeeeeeedom. A holiday from the 6th of November till the 26-27th of Feburary. Yes! Four (holds out 4 fingers) months...almost anyway!!!

Plans for the summer:
~ Getting a full time job.
~ Spending time with family and friends.
~ Become a pro guitarist =p

Update on Waqas:
So far I know how slowly/partially play:
~ Red Hot Chili Peppers - Californiacations (intro)
~ Red Hot Chili Peppers - Otherside (full song)
~ Three Days Grace - Animal I have become (almost full song...so awesome to play!!)
~ Happy Birthday
~ Godsmack - Hollow (finally manged to get the intro tune...like half an hour ago. I don't know the song).
~ Justin Timberlake - Love Stoned (almost full song....love playing it)
~ Clint Masell - Requim for a dream (Awesome song...quite hard to play cos have to use frets 15, 17 and 18)

So during the summer...I'll practice these and perfect them (except for Happy Birthday...it's too easy XD) also I would like to learn:
~ Seether ft. Amy Lee - Broken
~ 3 Doors Down - Hear with out (seems hard this one)
~ Saving me - Nickleback

I want to share the so called recordings....bes too embarressed XD (and don't know how to insert a recording in this thing).
So maybe in the summer XD

Yeah!

Meet Waqas!

You all are probably wondering who is Waqas...this is Waqas!

My new guitar! Waqas means warrior (just found that out) and that name just ROCKS! One of my favorite names.

I've been wanting a guitar for quite a while now (and have been wanting to learn it for like...forever) , so I made up my mind and said in the summer (which is in November) I'm gonna get a full time job (Inshallah) and save up money to get a guitar! I shared this idea of mine to the closest people to me (number 1 is Sara). I don't know what was going through her head this girl...but all I can say is that my birthday came really really early this year (birthday in November). I basically got the biggest surprise ever. You know when you want something really really bad and it's suddenly in front of you...that kinda SHOCK/SURPRISE. The guitar is one of the two things I wanted this year. So here's what happened. I got a txt last Friday:

Sara: "G can you please come over. I had a huge fight with *insert name here*."
G: "Ya satir. 3ala shoo?" *At this point my heart fell into my stomach.*
Sara: "*insert another name here*"
G: "Uuuf 3ala *the other name here*...be there asap just gotta pray."

So anyways, I prayed and went to Sara's house. Knocked on the door and Sara freakishly opens it straight away...I was O.O

G: "Hi..." *in a soft low voice*
Sara: Just smiling at me.
G: -____- *stares at Sara*
Sara: "Just stay there for a sec."
G: "What the hell is going on?"

Sara goes and comes back carrying a guitar shaped cardboard box.

Sara: "This is for you!!!!!"
G: O.o.....

Then it all sunk in...and I went craaaaaazy! Only Sara can explain the reaction XD
Then it became worse...Sara opened the box and I saw the guitar...it was Black. EXACTLY what I wanted. My craziness became crazier.

Then Sara's flat mate came out and started shouting.

FM: "I KNEW ABOUT IT HAHAHAHAHA."

I just could not believe Sara! What a sweet heart and a crazy girl for buying me a guitar. I couldn't stop thanking her! *goes to corner and cries*

To Sara: YOU RUUUUUULE!!! =D

So yea...since Friday all I've been doing is learning stuff about the guitar. I went out and got it tuned because I'm still a "noob" and I don't know how to tune a guitar. The music shop was AMAZING! My eye's were about to pop out of their sockets at all the amazing guitars there. This old dude (awesome dude) came and helped me. Told me what picks to start out with (Pick of destiny =p). He gave me 2 picks. One is 50mm and the other 60mm. As I get used to the playing I can get stronger picks. He also told me to buy a tuner...so I can learn how to tune my own guitar. I was stoked! So far I've learned the intro of 2 songs.

1- Stone sour - Through the glass.
2- Linkin Park - In the end.

I still have a problem with moving between frets and strings. But so far so good!

Yup!

No Strings Attached

Obsessed with guitar(s) lately...so decided to start drawing them.
Here's the newest drawing:

^Invert with a bit of editing